Powder dispensing brush



Dec. 9, 1952 A. B. VAN HANDEL 2,620,810

POWDER DISPENSING BRUSH Filed Dec. 2, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 'IIIII A II H mm 5 Dec. 9, 1952 A. B. VAN HANDEL POWDER DISPENSING BRUSH 2. SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1950 fill/B19055 B- V? HHNDEL INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to brushes and the like, and has particular reference to a brush having a dispensing device incorporated therein.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a brush incorporating a novel dispensing device for delivering a powdered material to the brush bristles.

A further object of my invention is to provide a brush having a hollow handle adapted to contain a comminuted material, the brush being provided with novel dispensing means for delivering portions of comminuted material to the brush bristles.

Another object of my invention is to provide a brush having a hollow handle operably connected to the bristle-carrying portion of the brush and adapted to contain a supply of comminuted material, the brush being provided with a dispensing device for depositing portions of the comminuted material upon the brush bristles in response to relative motion between the handle and the brush-carrying portion.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a brush of the character described which is simple in construction and adapted to be manufactured inexpensively on a quantity basis.

With the above and other objects in view as may appear hereinafter, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective elevation of a preferred form of my invention as applied to a toothbrush.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the brush with the cap member removed.

Figure 3 is a, side elevation of the brush illustrating the positions of the parts thereof when a supply of powder is being delivered to the bristles.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken stantially on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation taken stantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation taken stantially on the line 'l'! of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation taken stantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation taken stantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Referring now to the drawings, the device which embodies a preferred form of my invention is illustrated as applied to a toothbrush generally indicated I0. While my invention is especially adapted for use ina toothbrush, it is to be understood that it is not inherently so limited, but

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may be incorporated in other types of brushes with which it is desired to use a comminuted cleansing agent or the like.

The toothbrush I0 includes a head member II which carries a plurality of brush bristles l2, and a handle I4 pivotally connected to the head member by means of a pin I5 extending through the forked portion 16 of the handle and through the tongue portion I! of the head member. The handle and the head member may be locked in operative position for brushing by means of the latch member 18 which is integral with the head member and which engages in friction fit relationship with a groove l9 formed in the handle. The latch member is further provided with a semi-spherical raised portion 20 frictionally engageable in a recess 2| in the handle.

The handle [4 is hollow, being provided with a central bore or chamber 22 forming a reservoir for a supply of powdered dentifrice indicated by the phantom lines of Figure 4. The open end 23 of the handle is provided with internal threads 24 with which are engaged the threads 25 of cap 26. Recesses 21 are provided in the cap to facilitate removal of the same when it is desired to add a new supply of dentifrice.

Means are provided for delivering powder from the central chamber 22 to the bristles I2 upon relative movement of the handle I 4 and head member H, and as shown in the drawings, these means may include the cam surface 30 on the head member and the cam follower 3| which is slidably secured to the handle I4. A plurality of outlet openings or apertures 32 are formed in the handle leading from the central chamber 22, and these apertures are positioned midway of the handle on the same side of the toothbrush as the bristles 12 so that when the handle is pivoted to the dispensing position shown by the phantom lines of Figure 3, the apertures lie directly over the bristles. The cam follower 3| is secured to a closure member or plate 33 which is slidably mounted on the handle 14 by means of the tabs 34 integral with the handle, on one side of the plate and the screw member 35 threadedly engaged with the handle on the other side of the plate. The screw member extends through a longitudinal slot 36 in the plate and may be adjusted to vary the frictional resistance between the plate and the handle. The entire toothbrush, with the exception of the plate 33 is preferably of plastic. The plate, preferably of sheet metal, is provided with ear members 31 to which the cam follower is firmly connected, and is bent upwardly and over the cam follower at 38 to 3 provide a relatively rigid and friction free surface. The plate 33 is provided with apertures 39 corresponding in size and spacing to the apertures 32, but longitudinally offset therefrom, so that in the position shown in Figure 4, the apertures 32 are closed by the plate.

Means are provided to normally maintain the plate in the closed position, and as shown best in Figure 4, these means include the helical pring 40 positioned in a recess 4l.-formed in the cam follower. This spring, under compression, abuts at one end the forward wall 42 of the cam follower and at the other end a projection 43 formed on the handle [4, thus normally urging the cam follower and plate 33 to the left as seen in Figure 4.

A generally tubular cover member 45 is provided for the brush bristles 12 to maintain the bristles in a sanitary condition while the toothbrush is not in use and may be provided with a pocket clip 46 to permit the brush to be conveniently carried about on the person. The cover member is frictionally engaged with the cylindrical end portion 41 of the handle and has a recessed portion 48 providing clearance for the cam portion 30 of the head member ll. Apertures 49 are formed in the end of the cover member to permit air to circulate about the brush bristles.

The operation of the toothbrush is as follows: The cover member is removed and the bristles dampened slightly with water. With the brush held so that the bristles point upwardly, the handle I4 is pivoted from the position shown in Figure 2 to the dispensing position illustrated by the phantom lines of Figure 3. The cam follower 3| rides over the cam surface 30, forcing the plate 33 in a direction towards the cap member 26 and opening the apertures 32 to permit the powder to fall by gravity onto the bristles. When a sufiicient amount of dentifrice has been deposited upon the bristles, the handle is moved back to the position for brushing shown in Figure 2, the spring 40 moving the plate 33 to closed position. It will be noted that the relative shapes and positions of the cam and cam follower are such that the follower does not contact the cam surface until the handle has been pivoted to the position shown by the solid lines of Figure 3,

thus preventing premature opening of the apertures 32.

Havin fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a head member having a plurality of bristles mounted thereon, a hollow handle pivotally connected to the head member for relative motion about a transverse axis so that the handle may be folded over the head member with a portion of the handle overlying the bristles, the handle being adapted to contain a supply of comminuted material and having an outlet opening for the comminuted material, a closure member for the outlet opening, means normally urging the closure member into closed position, and means responsive to relative motion between the handle and the head member for opening the closure member to deposit comminuted material upon the bristles.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a head member having a plurality of bristles mounted thereon, a hollow handle having an outlet opening therein, means pivotally connecting the handle to the head member for relative motion about a transverse axis so that the handle may be folded over the head member with the outlet opening overlying the bristles, a closure member slidably mounted on the handle, means normally urging the closure member into a position to cover the opening, and means responsive to relative motion between the handle and the head member for moving the closure member in a direction to uncover the opening.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a head member having a plurality of bristles thereon, a hollow handle pivotally connected to the head member and adapted to contain a supply of comminuted material, the handle having an outlet opening for the comminuted material, a plate slidably mounted on the handle, means normally urging the plate in a direction to cover the outlet opening. and cooperating means on the head member and on the handle responsive to relative pivotal motion between the head member and the handle for moving the plate in a direction to uncover the outlet opening.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a head member having a plurality of bristles mounted thereon, a hollow handle having an outlet opening therein, means pivotally connecting the handle to the head member for relative motion about a transverse axis so that the handle may be folded over the head member with the outlet opening overlying the bristles, a plate longitudinally slidably secured to the handle, means normally urging the plate into a position to cover the opening, and means responsive to relative motion between the handle and the head member for moving the plate in a direction to uncover the opening.

5. In a powder dispensing toothbrush, the combination of a head member having a plurality of bristles mounted thereon, a hollow handle adapted to contain a supply of powder and having a powder outlet opening therein, means pivotally connecting the handle to the head member for relative pivotal motion therebetween about a transverse axis from a brushing position wherein the handle forms an extension of the head member to a dispensing position wherein the handle is folded over the head member with the outlet opening lying over the bristles, means for locking the handle and head member in brushing position, a closure member for the outlet opening, means normally urging the closure member into a position to cover the opening, and means responsive to relative motion between the handle and the head member for moving the closure member in a direction to uncover the opening.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a head member having a plurality of bristles thereon, a hollow handle operably connected to the head member and adapted to contain a supply of comminuted material, the handle having an outlet opening for the comminuted material, a closure member for the outlet opening, a cam surface formed on the head member, and a cam follower on said closure member adapted to contact said cam surface and to be moved thereby in a direction to open the closure member upon relative motion between the handle and the head member.

7. In a device of the character described, the

combination of a head member having a plurality of bristles thereon, a hollow handle pivotally connected to the head member and adapted to contain a supply of comminuted material, the handle having an outlet opening for the comminuted material, a closure member slidably secured to the handle, means normally urging the closure member in a direction to cover the outlet opening, a cam surface formed on the head member, and a cam follower on said closure member adapted to contact said cam surface and to be moved thereby in a direction to uncover the outlet opening upon relative motion between the handle and the head member.

8. In a powder dispensing toothbrush, the combination of a head member having a plurality of bristles mounted thereon, a hollow handle adapted to contain a supply of powder and having a powder outlet opening therein, means pivotally connecting the handle to the head member for relative pivotal motion therebetween about a transverse axis from a brushing position wherein the handle forms an extension of the head member to a dispensing position wherein the handle is folded over the head member with the outlet opening lying over the bristles, a closure member for the outlet opening, means normally urging the closure member into a position to cover the opening, a cam surface formed on the head member, and a cam follower on said closure member adapted to contact said cam surface and to be moved thereby in a direction to uncover the outlet opening upon movement of the handle from the brushing position to the dispensing position.

9. In a powder dispensing toothbrush, the combination of a head member having a plurality of bristles mounted thereon, a hollow handle adapted to contain a supply of powder and having a powder outlet opening therein, means pivotally connecting the handle to the head member for relative pivotal motion therebetween about a transverse axis from a brushing position wherein the handle forms an extension of the head member to a dispensing position wherein the handle is folded over the head member with the outlet opening lying over the bristles, a plate longitudi nally slidably secured to the handle, a cam follower mounted on said plate, spring means normally urging said cam follower and said plate in a direction to close said outlet opening, and a cam surface formed on the head member, the cam follower being adapted to contact said cam surface and to be moved thereby in a direction to open the outlet opening upon movement of the handle from the brushing position to the dispensing position.

AMBROSE B. VAN HANDEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 345,517 Lakin July 13, 1886 611,788 Lincoln Oct. 4, 1898 1,319,264 Barnes et a1 Oct. 21, 1919 

